Limited evidence of hierarchy of needs

• Little evidence supporting hierarchal nature of Maslow hierarchy of needs. Supported hierarchy with biographical evidence of famous self-actualisers
• Doesn't explain why some people deprived of basic needs like foods appear self-actualised
• Aronoff tested whether higher levels of hierarchy are only satisfied once lower levels have been satisfied
• Aronoff - hierarchy of needs - Method

  • Compared people in two jobs is West Indies (fishermen and cane cutters)
  • Cane cutter paid by how much was cut by group (high job security)
  • Fishermen worked alone (low job security)
  • Both groups assessed to see which level they were on hierarchy of needs
• Aronoff - hierarchy of needs - Findings

  • Cane cutters at lower level of hierarchy
  • Fishermen satisfied lower levels of hierarchy
• Aronoff - hierarchy of needs - Conclusion

  • Only men who had satisfied lower levels chose to become fishermen allowing for high self esteem to developed
  • Supports Maslow
• Aronoff - hierarchy of needs - Evaluation

  • Study supports Maslow Hierarchy of needs theory
  • Ecological validity --> natural environment
  • Only studied one culture